"BOARDING"' SOLDIERS

Evening Star, Issue 16993, 15 March 1919, Page 11

"BOARDING"' SOLDIERS

+ OTHER COUNTRIES' ARRANGE- • . MENTS. WELLINGTON, March 15. Though some section of the public are inclined to become Testive over the delay in the disembarkation of our returned soldiers owing to the demobilisation procedure carried out on arrival, there is so much advantage to be gained by the soldier through the completion of this necessary Erocess before he leaves the ship that in is own interests the Defence authorities at this end have to be satisfied that the work is thoroughly done. To make the task easier on arrival, complete printed instructions were sent to England, and a few experienced Base Records officials were placed at the disposal of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force authorities at Home for tho purpose of training those who undertake the demobilisation process on the voyage. There has been a misunderstanding over the first ship on which the new scheme was tried, but the Defence authorities suggest that if the critical section of the public had to meet the expense and face the complaints ..which, would arise through abandoning the pre-disembar-kation system they would speedily be convinced that existing plans are on the right lines. Once tho New Zealand soldier leaves the transport he is free to look after his own personal affairs. He need not go near a Defence office again except once—when he returns his greatcoat and receives the mufti allowance; and if it is more convenient he may manage this transaction through the post. Comparison with the methods of demobilisation adopted by other overseas British Dominions shows that, even under the conditions prevailing <m the Port Melbourne, our men are subject to less delay and trouble than their comrades of the Australian and Canadian forces. Australians liave to proceed to a demobilisation camp after disembarkation; they cannot go straight to their relatives from the ship; while the Canadian system involves the men in even more delay after disembarkation. The 'Canadian Soldiers' Handbook ' states that troops must proceed from the ship to a clearing station at Halifax, St. John, or Quebec. "At these clearing depots,'' states the handbook, " all ranks not requiring immediate hospital treatment will be given furlough of two weeks to proceed to their homes, and will have prepared for them by the clearing depot staff the following:—Furlough form, cheque for funds while on furlough, and transport warrant." When the men are despatched from the clearing depot they are informed that they must not leave the train except at the point at which their homes are situated. At the end of his fortnight's furlough the soldier has to report to his nearest military district headquarters, and as there are only 13 for the whole of that vast Dominion the amount of travelling to be done by the soldier before he can complete his discharge can be imagined. New Zealanders, thanks to the system which is condemned by those who do not realise that the State's obligations to the soldier have to be promptly met, go from the transport with definite information as to the date of their discharge, money for temporary needs, travelling warrants for the enjoyment of their month's leave on full pay, and full information regarding their pension rights and the facilities to aid them in reabsorption into the community. The fit man, once clear of the ship, ik -a ar of the army.